Gorgeous Lookout House is a contemporary twist on Australian farmhouse typology

Melbourne architecture firm Room 11 completed Lookout House, a gorgeous contemporary home in Port Arthur that’s matched only by its stunning panoramic views of Australia’s Tasman Island and the Southern Ocean. Built for a retired couple, the single-story house is an impressive blend between the traditional farmhouse aesthetic and European courtyard typology. The resulting hybrid house is partially clad in vertical strips of cedar and topped by three metal gabled roofs.

The main entryway to the Lookout House is accessed through a large sliding barn door that blends in with the north side’s nearly windowless timber-clad façade wall. In contrast, the other three exterior walls are installed with generous amounts of glazing to let in views and natural light. The metal roof juts out across the four facades to create a covered canopy that protects the interior from solar heat gain. Skylights punctuate the metal roof to bring sunlight indoors.

The triple gabled roof subtly divides the interior into their specific functions: the bedroom on one end followed by the living space in the middle and the kitchen and dining area on the opposite side. The change in flooring material between the living area and kitchen reinforces the delineation of space in the open-plan layout. All three spaces overlook spectacular views of the Australian landscape through floor-to-ceiling glazing. A simple central courtyard is located in the middle of the structure and is surrounded by glazed walls to flood the interior with additional natural light.